The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has requested the Justice Department (DOJ) examine former US President Donald Trump’s handling of White House records. The federal agencies are reportedly mulling whether to investigate the former commander-in-chief over possible criminal activity.

The NARA referral to the DOJ is in response to the discovery of 15 boxes of documents retrieved from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Florida, mansion, that were not returned to the government after the former Republican president left office. There are also concerns that many of the documents were torn up.

According to sources, officials suspect Trump to have violated laws pertaining to the handling of government documents. It is possible some were classified documents.

The discussions remain preliminary and it is uncertain whether the Justice Department will take up the matter.

The Presidential Records Act (PRA), passed in 1978, mandates the preservation of all presidential records and makes their legal ownership public. The act also places the responsibility of adhering to the statutes on the incumbent president. The act was a direct response to the Watergate scandal and former US President Richard Nixon’s attempt to destroy Oval Office records.